Having Casting Material Cooling Means Patents (Class 164/443)
  • Publication number: 20010042609
    Abstract: High speed continuous casting device and method, comprising an ingot mold provided with a crystalliser having side-walls between which the product as it cools is suitable to take shape, the product then being sent to a guide, containing and possibly pre-rolling assembly located downstream of said ingot mold and cooperating with secondary cooling means, and a system of primary cooling associated with said side-walls, the crystalliser having a longitudinal development with a radius of curvature (“R”) having a value at least five times more than the first radius of curvature of the product in the secondary cooling zone located at the outlet of said crystalliser, wherein the length (L) of the walls is more than 1050 mm, so that a progressive and gradual deformation of the product being formed is obtained which prevents tensions, inner cracks and surface lesions from forming thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Milorad Pavlicevic, Nuredin Kapaj
  • Patent number: 6315030
    Abstract: High speed continuous casting device and method, comprising an ingot mold provided with a crystalliser having side-walls between which the product as it cools is suitable to take shape, the product then being sent to a guide, containing and possibly pre-rolling assembly located downstream of the ingot mold and cooperating with secondary cooling, and a system of primary cooling associated with the side-walls, the crystalliser having a longitudinal development with a radius of curvature (“R”) having a value at least five times more than the first radius of curvature of the product in the secondary cooling zone located at the outlet of the crystalliser, wherein the length (L) of the walls is more than 1050 mm, so that a progressive and gradual deformation of the product being formed is obtained which prevents tensions, inner cracks and surface lesions from forming thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alfredo Poloni, Milorad Pavlicevic
  • Patent number: 6298905
    Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous casting device comprising a support structure (16, 116), a swing lever (24, 124) which is pivotally mounted in the support structure (16, 166) around a first pivotal axis a drive mechanism (34, 134) which is connected to said swing lever (24, 124) and a continuous casting shell (14, 114) which can be impinged upon a cooling medium. A bearing (38, 138) to support the continuous cast shell (14, 114) is pivotally mounted on the swing lever (24, 124) around a second pivotal axis, whereby at least one connection for the cooling medium is integrated into the pivoting bearing (38, 138).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Norbert Kaell, Charles Assa, Rudy Petry, Emile Lonardi
  • Patent number: 6289973
    Abstract: A continuous casting installation comprises an ingot mould and an oscillating holding device used for causing the ingot mould to swing when in a casting position. The installation consists, in a separable manner, of an interchangeable part and a stationary part. To replace the intechangeable part, it is separated from the stationary one and moved using a conveying means, at least along a partial path, from its position of operation into an area beneath the casting position. This enables, especially in the multiline casting installations, the interchangeable part to be transported during the casting process and, for example, along paths comprising straight or arciform segments, to any purposefully selected position and to be replaced by a new interchangeable part to be replaced in multiline installations with no interference with the casting process in any adjacent ingot arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Concast Standard AG
    Inventors: Adalbert Roehrig, Adrian Stilli
  • Patent number: 6289970
    Abstract: A mold wall of a continuous casting mold is composed of an inner mold plate and a water box connected to the inner mold plate through screw connections, wherein the inner mold plate has on its side facing the water box webs with grooves extending between the webs, and wherein the grooves have a groove width and filler pieces are arranged in the grooves. The grooves of the mold plate have undercuts with an undercut thickness, the filler pieces have connecting elements with a connecting element thickness, the filler pieces engage releasably in the undercuts, and the screw connections are arranged between the filler pieces and the water box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gereon Fehlemann
  • Publication number: 20010017199
    Abstract: An important liner for use in a continuous casting machine includes the conventional hot face surface, cold face surface, and at least one coolant interface area, such as the bottom of a cooling clot that is machined into the liner. Advantageously, the coolant interface area is configured to have a shape along at least a portion of its length that differs from the simple planar shape that is usual for such areas. This shape could include a fin that projects from the coolant interface surface, a corrugation, or other shape. As a result of this configuration, the surface area of the coolant interface area is maximized, thereby promoting enhanced heat transfer through the liner at a portion of the liner that is proximate the coolant interface area. This configuration can be placed selectively at certain areas of the mold that are felt to need increased thermal conductivity, such as near the meniscus area, and in areas where premature mold wear or cracking have been observed due to thermal stresses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Rama Bommaraju, James B. Sears
  • Patent number: 6273177
    Abstract: A continuous casting mold for casting strands, preferably of steel, includes mold plates and water boxes, and a connecting plate for connecting each mold plate to one of the water boxes. A water cooling system is formed by water conduits between the mold plates and the water boxes, wherein the water conduits are arranged in a side of the water box facing the mold plate and not in the mold plate. The water box and the connecting plate of the water box are joined together by connecting screws and nuts, wherein the connecting screws are arranged in the mold plate and the nuts are arranged on the water box. The connecting screws have internal cooling ducts and the internal cooling ducts are connected to the water conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Fritz-Peter Pleschiutschnigg
  • Patent number: 6173756
    Abstract: A broad side element for slab mold and including a cast plate having opposite inner and outer surfaces and a plurality of grooves provided on the inner surface for forming cooling channels and having each an undercut, and a plurality of inserts receivable in the undercuts of respective cooling channel-forming grooves for formlockingly covering the respective grooves, with the broad side element having upper and lower regions, and with at least the upper region having a middle portion and two side portions located on opposite sides of the middle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag AG
    Inventor: Gereon Fehlemann
  • Patent number: 6167940
    Abstract: The patent describes an oscillating device for a continuous casting mould with a supporting structure (10), an oscillating lever (12), which has a forked first lever arm (30) and a second opposing lever arm (32), this oscillating lever (12) being mounted in the supporting structure by means of first swivel joints (26′, 26″) so as to be vibratable about an axis (28), and a stroke generator (14), which is connected to the second lever arm (32) of the oscillating lever (12). The oscillating device according to the invention comprises a supporting cage (18) for suspension of a continuous casting mould (20), this supporting cage (18) being connected via second swivel joints (40′, 40″) to the forked first lever arm (30) of the oscillating lever (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Paul Wurth, S.A.
    Inventors: Emile Lonardi, Radomir Andonov, Hubert Stomp, Rudy Petry, Norbert Kaell, Andr{acute over (e)} Kremer
  • Patent number: 6158496
    Abstract: A continuous casting die has a casting channel (10) formed by molding plates (12) and a self-carrying frame construction with lateral openings into which the molding plates (12) can be slidingly inserted perpendicularly to the casting channel. The frame construction preferably has a top frame (14) with a passage (16) which is slightly larger than the cross-section of the casting channel (10) at the entrance of the casting die, a bottom frame (18) with a passage (20) which is slightly larger than the cross-section of the casting channel (10) at the exit of the casting die, and corner sections (22) which link the top frame (14) to the bottom frame (18). The lateral passages are delimited at their sides by the two corner sections, above by the top frame (14) and below by the bottom frame (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Emile Lonardi, Radomir Andonov, Hubert Stomp, Rudy Petry, Norbert Kaell, Guy Klepper
  • Patent number: 6135198
    Abstract: A substrate system for receiving a deposit of sprayed metal droplets including a movable outer substrate on which the sprayed metal droplets are deposited. The substrate system also includes an inner substrate disposed adjacent the outer substrate where the sprayed metal droplets are deposited on the outer substrate. The inner substrate includes zones of differing thermal conductivity to resist substrate layer porosity and to resist formation of large grains and coarse constituent particles in a bulk layer of the metal droplets which have accumulated on the outer substrate. A spray forming apparatus and associated method of spray forming a molten metal to form a metal product using the substrate system of the invention is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Men G. Chu, William P. Chernicoff
  • Patent number: 6135199
    Abstract: Method and device for cooling belts of single or twin belt casters. The belt is cooled by a liquid which is contacted with the inner surface of the belt by a system of feed tubes and collection tubes. Liquid is passed out the feed tube, into a channel that communicates with the inner surface of the heated belt, the belt is cooled, and the liquid is removed through collection tubes with a vacuum assist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventor: Gavin Wyatt-Mair
  • Patent number: 6102100
    Abstract: A continuous casting mold for metals is provided that is formed of an assembly of four metallic plates (13, 14) which plates have channels in their respective interiors. The channels are vertically oriented and serve to pass a fluid which is being circulated for the purpose of cooling. Two or more of said plates (13, 14) each have one or more horizontal channels (6a, 6b) in the upper part of the plate, which channels serve for circulation of cooling fluid and are independent of the aforesaid vertical channels, wherewith the said vertical channels are terminated at a level below said upper part of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Sollac
    Inventors: Eric Perrin, Jean-Marc Jolivet
  • Patent number: 6102102
    Abstract: A metal strip is continuously cast between a pair of heat conductive endless belts which serve to form a molding zone to solidify molten metal. The endless belts remove heat from the molten metal and are cooled when the belts are not in contact with the molten metal, which minimizes belt distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Donald G. Harrington
  • Patent number: 6089308
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a chilling block and temperature measuring devices disposed in different positions. The output from the temperature measuring devices can be employed to provide ongoing control of cooling of the chilling block in x-, y- and/or z-directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Nichols Aluminum
    Inventors: Rudolf Roder, Marcel Witschi
  • Patent number: 6059013
    Abstract: The invention relates to a turning passage for the feed and discharge of cooling water to a disturbing system (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) in a water-cooled guide roller (1) of a continuation casting system. In order to seal the bearing (10) of the guide roller (1) with respect to the fed and discharged cooling water and to protect the rigid coponents of the turning passage which assist in the feed and discharge of cooling water from mechanical loading by the guide roller (1), a seal is mounted in a cover plate (15) supported on the bracket (11) of the bearing (10) so that it is sealed by a bushing (18), can rotate and is axially dispaceable. A flexible, annular, flange-shaped membrane (21) made of plastic or rubber is arranged between this bushing (18) and a flange (20) fastened to the end surface of the bearing journal (9), and its inner and outer edges are vulcanized thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Thyssen Stahl AG
    Inventor: Walter Krume
  • Patent number: 6056039
    Abstract: The device for the making a flat product (P) comprises a cylindrical wall, brought into rotation around a fixed core (1) and cooled by circulation of a fluid for the formation, of the flat product (P), onto an angular sector of the wall (2). The cooled wall on which is cast the metal is made up of a thin metal envelope forming a shell (2) simply inserted with possibility of sliding onto a circular surface (11) of the fixed core which constitute the central section of a fixed shaft (1) to hold and center the shell (2), the shaft (1) being connected with a thrust device allowing application of the shell (2) on the circular surface (11) of the shaft (1), the cooling fluid providing the lubrication of the bush thus made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Kvaerner Metals Clecim
    Inventors: Michel Morel, Pierre Delassus, Gerard Raisson
  • Patent number: 6044898
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a continuous-casting mold for casting thin slabs. The mold has an oblong inner cross-sectional area and cooled mold walls. The melt is poured in through at least one delivery nozzle which dips into the melt. To ensure that, during casting, markedly lower stresses and, as a consequence thereof, fewer cracks appear in the strand shell, at least at the casting level being established and at least over a part of the depth of immersion of the delivery nozzle, the ratio of the gap widths S.sub.TI and S.sub.II/2 and the ratio of the cooling capacities L.sub.TI and L.sub.II of the mold wall are related by the equation:[S.sub.TI /(S.sub.II /2)]/[L.sub.TI /L.sub.II ]>1.S.sub.TI is the width of the gap formed in the zone immediately surrounding the particular immersed delivery nozzle by the outer surface of the delivery nozzle and by the inner surface of the directly opposite mold wall, and S.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventor: Fitz-Peter Pleschiutschnigg
  • Patent number: 5967223
    Abstract: Permanent-magnetic hydrodynamic methods and apparatus stabilize a moving, flexible, thin-gauge, heat-conducting, magnetically soft ferromagnetic casting belt against thermal distortion while moving along a mold cavity being heated at its front surface by heat coming from molten metal being cast while being cooled at its reverse surface by flowing pumped liquid coolant. Hydro-magnetic devices are arranged in an array wherein flows of pumped coolant pass through fixedly throttling passageways feeding pressure pockets facing the belt's reverse surface. These pockets are shown rimmed by magnetic pole faces. Coolant issues from the pressure pockets as fast-moving films radiating therefrom and travelling in gaps between the belt's reverse surface and the pole faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Hazelett Strip-Casting Corporation
    Inventors: Valery G. Kagan, R. William Hazelett
  • Patent number: 5931216
    Abstract: Adjustable continuous casting mold for manufacturing continuously cast ingots of different dimensions, having a mold frame with a pair of stationary facing side walls and a pair of facing end walls, where at least one end wall can be displaced and each side wall and end wall features a primary coolant chamber and, connected to the primary coolant chamber, a plurality of primary coolant channels for jetting coolant onto the ingot material. The displaceable end walls exhibit a secondary coolant chamber and, connected to the secondary coolant chamber, a plurality of secondary coolant channels for jetting additional coolant onto the continuously cast material, the secondary coolant channels being arranged such that the coolant emerging from them strikes the continuously cast material after, with respect to the direction of flow of the cast material, the coolant from the primary coolant channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Bertrand Carrupt, Maurice Constantin, Jean-Pierre Seppey
  • Patent number: 5927378
    Abstract: An improved mold assembly for a continuous casting machine includes a mold liner assembly having an inner surface defining a casting space in which molten metal is shaped and cooled, an immersion nozzle, terminating within the casting space, for introducing molten metal into the casting space, and selective cooling structure for selectively cooling the mold liner assembly in such a manner that cooling is directed in varying intensities to different portions of the inner surface of the mold liner assembly according to predetermined circulation patterns in the molten metal, whereby heat transfer inequality as a result of convection is accommodated over the entire inner surface of the mold liner assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: AG Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Grove, James B. Sears, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5911268
    Abstract: A batch-casting mold table assembly for casting slabs. The assembly includes a frame positionable over a pit sized for holding cast slabs. The frame is moveable between a slab-casting position in which the frame is positioned directly over the pit for casting slabs and a slab-removal position in which the frame is positioned beside the pit so the pit is accessible for removing slabs. The assembly also includes at least one hydraulic cylinder mounted on the frame. The cylinder has a piston reciprocally moveable in response to hydraulic fluid entering and leaving the cylinder. In addition, the assembly includes a control system operatively connected to the hydraulic cylinder for controlling movement of the piston and a table for holding a batch-casting mold. The table is moveable up and down in response to the piston movement for oscillating the mold up and down over the cooling pit as molten metal is poured through the mold to produce slabs having a smooth surface finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Custom Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Stanford
  • Patent number: 5909764
    Abstract: The caster includes a pair of movable opposed belts, each of the belts having a casting surface and a pair of movable opposed dam blocks including a plurality of dam blocks having one end mounted to an orbiting support and a casting surface opposite the mounted end. The casting surfaces of the belts and the casting surfaces of the dam blocks define a casting zone for solidifying the molten metal into cast metallic product. The caster also includes cooling plates/bars for cooling the belts while the belts pass through the casting zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Adam J. Sartschev, Joshua C. Liu
  • Patent number: 5887644
    Abstract: A casting roll (18) for a twin roll continuous caster comprises a roll body (19) made of a metal material having high rigidity and a sleeve (20) made of a metal material having high thermal conductivity for covering an outer periphery of the roll body (19). A plurality of load bearing members (23) with thicker width are provided peripherally on the outer periphery of the roll body (19), the load bearing members (23) being in contact with an inner periphery of the sleeve (20) and extending axially of the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignees: Ishikawa Jima-Harima Heavy Industries Company Limited, BHP Steel (JLA) Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Akiyoshi, Masayoshi Hori, Kunio Matsui, Atsushi Hirata, Koichi Fujita, Shu Ogawa
  • Patent number: 5839500
    Abstract: The method enhances the quality of cast metal being cast in a continuous casting process. In particular, the method combines temperature and quality control sensing to achieve closed-loop control of the cooling of molten metal in a continuous caster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Lauener Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rudolf Roder, Marcel Witschi
  • Patent number: 5785112
    Abstract: Mold for continuously casting rolling slabs or extrusion billets where the mold is in the form of a hollow cylindrical body with a cylindrical mold interior, and an inlet and an outlet opening, and the mold comprises at least two closed, ring-shaped mold elements with a common concentric central axis, the mold axis, where a mold element, the inner sleeve, lies on the inside with respect to the mold axis and defines the sides of the cylindrical mold interior, and the other mold element, the supporting member, lies outside with respect to the central axis of the mold and accommodates the inner sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Bertrand Carrupt, Maurice Constantin
  • Patent number: 5772187
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling and processing a molten product into a granulate product which apparatus comprises a displaceable support consisting of at least one substantially horizontal, disk-shaped element arranged for rotation about a substantially vertical shaft, means for depositing the molten product on the support, cooling means containing cooling liquid channels closed in themselves that form part of the disc-shaped element and, without connection with the environment, connect to feed and discharge means, and means for removing the molten product from the support in granulate form. Preferably, a double spiral-shaped channel is present per disk-shaped element, and the means for depositing the molten product on the support comprise a dispenser adapted to dispense the molten product batchwise or dropwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Goudsche Machinefabriek B.V.
    Inventors: Abimanjoe Saroso Wirodihardjo, Wijnand Jacob t Hart, Alwin Graafland
  • Patent number: 5771958
    Abstract: The mold includes an outer wall that has a plenum chamber defined in an inner surface thereof and at least one passage for communicating the plenum chamber with an external coolant conduit. The mold further includes a liner that is secured to the inner surface of the outer wall. The liner has a number of slots defined in an inner wall thereof which, together with the outer wall, define a number of passages for transporting coolant to cool the liner during operation of the mold. A recess intersecting at least one of the slots is provided in the inner wall of the liner. A restrictor plate is situated in the recess, and serves to strategically reduce the cross-section of selected slots in order to achieve the desired coolant flow profile among the slots. The mold may further include a velocity plate that is positioned between the plenum and the transition portion to limit an opening by which coolant may flow between the plenum and the transition portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: AG Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James Bernard Sears, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5762127
    Abstract: Crystalliser and method to control the deformations of the sidewalls of a crystalliser (11) for the continuous casting of billets/blooms/slabs (24), which is associated with a mould (10) and cooperates externally with a box-shaped structure (13) creating a cooling chamber (14), in which a cooling fluid circulates, and cooperates internally with the skin of the billets/blooms/slabs (24) being formed, the cooling chamber (14) containing an intermediate wall (20) creating a circulation channel (21) in cooperation with the outer surface of the sidewall (12) of the crystalliser (11), at least one upper zone (37) being included in cooperation at least with the vicinity of the meniscus and with the portion below the meniscus (27) of liquid metal, a lower zone (38) being also included and beginning in the vicinity of the zone of separation of the forming skin from the inner surface of the sidewall (12) of the crystalliser (11) and extending towards the outlet of the crystalliser (11), the pressure of the cooling flui
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventors: Giampietro Benedetti, Milorad Pavlicevic, Gianni Gensini, Alfredo Poloni
  • Patent number: 5725046
    Abstract: The caster includes a pair of movable opposed belts, each of the belts having a casting surface and a pair of movable opposed dam blocks including a plurality of dam blocks having one end mounted to an orbiting support and a casting surface opposite the mounted end. The casting surfaces of the belts and the casting surfaces of the dam blocks define a bar casting zone for solidifying the molten metal into metallic bar. The caster also includes cooling bars for cooling the belts while the belts pass through the bar casting zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Adam J. Sartschev, Joshua C. Liu
  • Patent number: 5697423
    Abstract: A continuous block caster has a temperature sensor in each of the chilling blocks. The sensor monitor and control temperatures of the chilling blocks in the casting direction (the "x-direction") and the direction transverse to the casting direction (the "y-direction").
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Lauener Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Rudolf Roder, Marcel Witschi
  • Patent number: 5671801
    Abstract: A cooling system for a belt caster including at least one movable belt. The cooling system includes a plurality of rollers and a plurality of nozzles arranged between the rollers to deliver coolant to the belt. The rollers provide a rolling support surface upon which the belt may be supported and are constructed and arranged so that a maximum number of nozzles can be provided to deliver coolant to the belt of the caster. In another embodiment, the cooling system includes a cooling box having (i) a first chamber for receiving coolant from a coolant supply; (ii) supply tubes for delivering coolant from the first chamber to a second chamber defined by a cooling face of the cooling box and the cooling surface of the belt; and (iii) a third chamber for receiving coolant from the second chamber. Associated methods of casting a molten metal into a metal product are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Larex A.G.
    Inventor: Wilhelm F. Lauener
  • Patent number: 5647427
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for providing a modular mold table for use in conjunction with a vertical non-ferrous metal casting apparatus. A plurality of longitudinal headers with a coolant passageway and transverse headers with a coolant passageway provide the mold table. A centralized water screen is provided to screen undesired inclusions in the coolant. Pre-cast modules which contain the mold cavities and other interconnections for coolant, oil and gas are operatively connected to the longitudinal headers and can be added or removed in building block fashion. Also disclosed is an oil delivery system and a gas delivery system wherein longitudinally oriented oil and gas passageways are included within the longitudinal headers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Wagstaff, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Collins, Loren Keith Bodeau
  • Patent number: 5642772
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for cooling the external surface of rolls used in continuous casting of metal strip. According to the invention, the direction of cooling fluid flowing through the rolls is periodically reversed in order to reduce the thermal ovalization of the rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Pechiney Rhenalu
    Inventors: Jacques Charpentier, Marcel Cortes
  • Patent number: 5638891
    Abstract: A casting roll (11) on which to cast molten metal comprises central shaft (12), an outer circumferential wall (14) fitted over cylindrical mandrel (15) and roll end walls (16). Longitudinal wall (14) is cooled by water passed through longitudinal passages (22) in that wall. The cooling water is passed to and from passages (22) through passages (23) in the central shaft, radial passages (24) in the end walls (16) and transition passages (25) interconnecting the radial passages with the longitudinal passages. In order to promote cooling of the end corners (31) of the roll, transition passages (25) extend in smoothly curved bends into regions of the roll disposed both radially and longitudinally outwardly from the intersection directions of the longitudinal passages (22) and radial passages (24) so as to provide for water flow close to the roll comers (31) without formation of stagnation pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignees: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Company Limited, BHP Steel (JLA) Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisahiko Fukase, Heiji Kato, Tuyoshi Seki, Kunio Matui, Lloyd Walter Townsend
  • Patent number: 5626183
    Abstract: The local thickness across the width of a cast sheet is regulated by controlling the crown of the work rolls in a twin roll continuous casting machine producing the sheet. The work roll crowns are controlled by providing differential cooling in a plurality of cooling subsystems along the length of the rolls. The work rolls contain inlet and outlet water plenums which are connected to peripheral cooling channels between a core and an outer shell of each roll. Water flow to the cooling subsystems is controlled by a movable sleeve within the outlet plenum. In a first position of the sleeve, water is permitted to flow through all areas of the work rolls providing an even heat removal. In a second position, a greater portion of water flows through cooling subsystems in the center portion of the work rolls resulting in increased removal of heat from the center area of the core, reducing the temperature in this area, and thus reducing the crown of the work roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: FATA Hunter, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Romanowski, Bruno Amateis
  • Patent number: 5611390
    Abstract: The crystalliser (11) cooperates externally with a box-shaped structure (13) creating cooling chambers (14), in which a cooling fluid circulates, and cooperates internally with the skin of the billets, blooms or slabs (24) being formed. The cooling chambers (14) containing intermediate walls (20) create circulation channels (21) in cooperation with the outer surfaces (12) of the sidewalls of the crystalliser (11), at least one upper zone (34) being included in cooperation at least with the vicinity of the meniscus and with the portion below the meniscus (33) of liquid metal, a lower zone (26) being also included and beginning in the vicinity of the zone of separation of the forming skin from the inner surfaces (12) of the crystalliser (11) and extending towards the outlet of the crystalliser (11). By acting on the cross-section and/or conformation of at least one longitudinal portion of at least one side of the cross-section of the circulation channels (21), e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventors: Giampietro Benedetti, Milorad Pavlicevic, Gianni Gensini, Alfredo Poloni
  • Patent number: 5592987
    Abstract: The local thickness across the width of a cast sheet is regulated by controlling the crown of the work rolls in a twin roll continuous casting machine producing the sheet. The work roll crowns are controlled by providing differential cooling in a plurality of cooling subsystems along the length of the rolls. The work rolls contain inlet and outlet water plenums which are connected to peripheral cooling channels between a core and an outer shell of each roll. Water flow to the cooling subsystems is controlled by a movable sleeve within the outlet plenum. In a first position of the sleeve, water is permitted to flow through all areas of the work rolls providing an even heat removal. In a second position, a greater portion of water flows through cooling subsystems in the center portion of the work rolls resulting in increased removal of heat from the center area of the core, reducing the temperature in this area, and thus reducing the crown of the work roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: FATA Hunter, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Romanowski, Bruno Amateis
  • Patent number: 5547013
    Abstract: A casting wheel carries a rotating inner-radius mold wall along its rim and features a non-rotating mold segment incorporating the outer-radius mold wall, circumferentially oscillated about an external stationary support. The casting wheel includes circumferential guide tracks around the wheel periphery, along which cam guide rollers carrying the non-rotating segment act to maintain a closely controlled interface clearance between the inner and outer-radius mold wall edges throughout the rotation. The non-rotating mold segment may be constructed as a single box or multiple box segments hinged together for oscillation by a single oscillator, each segment incorporating its own guide roller system. Each box inside wall doubles as the mold envelope outside wall, against which water sprays may be directed from nozzles within the box enclosure, which is drained by gravity from an outlet proximate the lower end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: William L. Sherwood
  • Patent number: 5526869
    Abstract: An improved mold for a continuous casting process includes an outer wall that has a plenum chamber defined in an inner surface thereof and at least one passage for communicating the plenum chamber with an external coolant conduit. The mold further includes a liner that is secured to the inner surface of the outer wall. The liner has a number of slots defined in an inner wall thereof which, together with the outer wall, define a number of passages for transporting coolant to cool the liner during operation of the mold. Each of the slots has a radiused transition portion that is proximate to a location where the slot communicates with the plenum. The transition portion decreases in cross-section as the slot approaches the plenum. The mold further includes a velocity plate that is positioned between the plenum and the transition portion to limit an opening by which coolant may flow between the plenum and the transition portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Gladwin Corporation
    Inventor: James B. Sears, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5515908
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for strip casting of metals on at least one endless belt whereby the belt is cooled when it is not in contact with molten metal deposited on its surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Donald G. Harrington
  • Patent number: 5503216
    Abstract: In a continuous casting mold, the adjustable cooled narrow walls between the broad walls for continuous casting of thin slabs are divided into upper slab-shaping and lower supporting parts. At the lower parts, gaps are provided at the edges of the slab to reduce cooling and thereby prevent the formation of edge cracks on the solidifying slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Streubel
  • Patent number: 5484009
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for direct casting molten metal to continuous strip of crystalline material by controlling the supply of molten metal to a casting vessel substantially horizontal to an adjacent moving casting roll surface, the molten metal level in the exit end being near the crest of the casting roll, separating a semi-solid cast strip substantially horizontally from near the crest of the casting roll and providing secondary cooling while transporting the separated strip to solidify the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Allegheny Ludlum Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Love, John D. Nauman, Karl Schwaha
  • Patent number: 5467810
    Abstract: An improved continuous metal casting mold incorporating a removable cassette insert member that has a uniform thickness copper facing plate and a steel backing plate fastened together in such a way as to allow three dimensional expansion of the copper plate in relation to the steel plate to minimize the thermal stresses exerted on the copper plate and the temperature differential along the surface of the copper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Acutus Industries
    Inventor: John A. Grove
  • Patent number: 5411075
    Abstract: A roll for use in a roll caster. The roll has a heat exchanger core and an outer generally cylindrical shell surrounding the core, the core and the shell defining an enclosed space. A working fluid is contained in the enclosed space. When molten metal is cast onto the shell, the working fluid in proximity to the outer shell changes from a liquid to a vapor. Due to the rotation of the roll, the liquid phase of the working fluid forces the vapor in proximity with the outer cylindrical shell to return to the area adjacent to the core. At this area, the vapor phase is condensed into a liquid which is then subsequently delivered radially to the outer cylindrical shell. In this way, the working fluid constantly changes from vapor to liquid and back to vapor again and acts to continuously remove heat from the molten metal cast onto the outer cylindrical shell. A single roll caster, a twin roll caster, and a melt spinning apparatus as well as an associated method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: S. John Pien, Albert C. Wang, Ronald Bachowski
  • Patent number: 5404931
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing strips, bars and wire rods comprises continuously supplying molten metal into an open-top endless casting groove on an annular mold that is rotated around a vertical shaft, cooling the molten metal in the casting groove from outside by forcibly cooling the annular mold, and continuously taking out the cast section from the casting groove at a point where a solidified shell has been formed throughout the entire circumference of the molten metal in the casting groove. A roll is provided upstream of the take-out point to depress the top surface of the cast section, thereby keeping the cast section in close contact with the surface of the casting groove. The cast section then slides diagonally upward over a surface inclined at an angle of 5 to 60 degrees that is provided on the exit side of the above roll in the casting groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Einao Anzai, Hirobumi Maede, Ryuji Watanabe, Masami Wajima
  • Patent number: 5404932
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuous upward casting of a metal object comprises a nozzle having an upper part, a cooler surrounding the upper part of the nozzle and defining a cooling chamber for receiving a flow of cooling agent, a separating element dividing the cooling chamber into an inner part and an outer part. A guide structure is formed in the cooler near the bottom of the cooler, for influencing flow of cooling agent and intensifying cooling of the metal object near the bottom of the cooler, whereby a solidification front is formed in the nozzle between molten metal and solid metal near the bottom of the cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Outokumpu Castform Oy
    Inventors: Markku H. Koivisto, Seppo I. Pietila
  • Patent number: 5392843
    Abstract: An improvement in systems for continuous casting steel to near net shape sheet or plate directly from molten metal. This is accomplished by floating the liquid steel on a liquid substrate of silver, allowing it to solidify and withdrawing a continuous section of thin, wide steel. Liquid to liquid casting, by eliminating the mechanical problems of thin sheet casting with wheels or belts, allows for increased tonnage rates. For example, aiming at a thickness of 3 mm. by a width of 1500 mm., a liquid steel to liquid silver caster in continuous production at 200 feet per minute will produce 750,000 tons per annum. Increased cast speeds and/or multiple lines due to simple construction seem practicable for greater tonnage. Only liquid silver, as a float medium, makes high quality float casting of molten steel possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventor: James J. Dolan
  • Patent number: 5381853
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for intensifying cooling in the casting of metal objects, particularly in essentially vertical continuous upward casting. In order to intensify the cooling, the part (5) of the cooler (3) that is located nearest to the casting vessel is provided with a squeeze ring (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Outokumpu Castform Oy
    Inventors: Markku H. Koivisto, Seppo I. Pietila
  • Patent number: 5379828
    Abstract: A non-magnetic material having a relatively high electrical resistance, such as austenitic stainless steel, is used for the material of construction of the mold utilized in a conventional continuous casting apparatus, or in a rheocasting apparatus or in a continuous strip casting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Inland Steel Company
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Blazek, Ismael G. Saucedo, James E. Kelly